Super greens powders are one of the best sources of vitamins and minerals for those who either don’t like leafy greens or green vegetables, which also happen to be among the most nutrient-dense foods.
HealthCanal revealed that fruits and vegetables are critical to meet the body’s vitamin and mineral needs, but if you are not too fond of them, you can still get all their nutritional benefits by adding green powders to your diet. They are practical, easy to consume and they provide many health benefits. Keep reading to find out how this green stuff could do you wonders.
What Are Super Greens Powder Benefits?
Immune Health
Many vegetables are good, natural sources of essential vitamins, like Vitamin c, which boosts the immune system. Barley grass contains a lot of vitamin C, and it is a present ingredient in many greens powders.
Natural Energy Boost
Some turn to energy drinks when they need a little push to get through the day, but the truth is, those drinks are high in sugar and their consumption can mess with blood sugar levels. Some green powders have green tea extract, a natural source of caffeine that can provide a healthy boost of energy, as well as help to lose weight.
Also, the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition has shown that green tea can reduce blood sugar levels.
Gut Health
Greens powders are great for healthy digestion. They are full of dietary fiber, which contributes to weight loss, and some contain digestive enzymes. Also, green juices can lose valuable nutrients and fiber during the extraction process; but this doesn’t happen with powdered superfoods. Powdered greens can also help counteract the acidic effect of all the protein you are eating.
Many lifestyle blogs talk about the most essential nutrients for optimal health, and most green powders have them.
Heart Health
Heart disease risk is mostly linked to high blood pressure. Green drinks with blue-green alga are excellent to prevent heart disease, as this ingredient aids the treatment of high blood pressure. Greens powders can promote blood flow and might even improve cholesterol levels and artery functionality.
Chronic Diseases
Supergreens powder has many antioxidant properties, which could prevent chronic diseases related to oxidative stress, like diabetes and heart disease.
Who May Need Super Greens?
Having hectic and busy schedules may leave little time for cooking, and therefore, it becomes a bit complicated to fit in the fresh fruit and vegetables we should have on a daily basis. There have been many discussions about the numerous benefits that organic greens can provide, like a healthy immune system, healthy blood pressure, and even brain health, as we discussed above.
That’s why super greens powder is a good addition for anyone who wants to have a healthy diet, with nutrient density, but who doesn’t have the time to fit all the fruits and vegetables needed to meet that goal.
How To Use Super Greens Powder
There are different forms of using a super green. Depending on the product, there are many ways to use them. If they are bars or capsules, you can take them at any moment during the day or night, as you can carry them with you. If it’s powdered, you can drink it on its own, but it is not always the best-tasting drink.
You can have some fun with powdered super greens. You can add it to fruit smoothies, oats, protein shakes, salad dressings and so on.
Some greens powders might contain natural sugar substitutes to hide the grassy taste, so these super greens can be used with hot oatmeal, energy balls, nut butter and many other healthy foods, without getting a weird taste. Just make sure to read the ingredient label.
Generally, 1 tablespoon per day is sufficient additional nutrition. An ideal combination would be a frozen banana, frozen spinach, fresh or frozen berries, almond milk, super greens powder, ground flaxseed and ground cinnamon. These ingredients should be combined in a food processor or blender.
You can also blend it into a smoothie with protein, yogurt (or kefir), a scoop of nut butter and a banana or handful of berries for a morning burst of complete nutritional power.
The only time not to take it is immediately after a workout when it will disrupt the inflammation and oxidation process that aids recovery.
Among other things you should take into consideration before using them are:
- Drug interactions: The bioactive compounds of green powders can interact with pseudoephedrine, aspirin and blood thinners. Vitamin K is also known for its interaction with some medications that go from weight loss drugs, antibiotics, anticoagulants and cholesterol medications.
- Allergens: Some ingredients like wheatgrass, green tea extract and other herbs could cause an allergic reaction.
- Breastfeeding or pregnancy concerns: The herbs in green powders could be a risk for breastfeeding or pregnant women, given that their effects are not so well known.
Conclusion
Greens powder, especially USDA-certified organic powders are a great way to get the extra minerals and vitamins recommended for a healthy diet. Nonetheless, their ingredients and the amounts can differ from one brand to another, so it is always best to ask your doctor before consuming them.
